Stu vs A Foray into the World of Publishing

I finally got my first experience with the publishing industry this week... And no it wasn't purchasing a new book. I am still sinking my teeth into George R.R. Martin's A Dance With Dragons on the book front.

Anyway I digress, a couple of weeks ago I was asked to consult on a new book for supply teachers, being one myself and I am actually getting paid for it. Its been an interesting forray into the world of publishing and after rereading my notes... quite brutal! So please be free to check out the new book in the 'Brilliant' series.

On a separate note Assignmnt 1 for my Writing for Children's course is complete and being sent off tomorrow. One down, thirteen to go. Hopefully the next one won't take me four months.

This is me signing off for today.

Stu vs Lost Work 2

This is again from my first year of uni and reading it back, I can't believe I actually wrote it. Maybe I can write after all. so with out further ado here is a monologue completely unaltered from ov 7 years ago.


Monologue
 
She finally called like she said she would. Should I be worried, its only eighteen months too late. Though something seemed off with her, something has changed. I remember her being so open, so talkative, but not like this. When I asked for the reason of her call she clammed up. It must be serious. Maybe she’s pregnant? No! She would’ve told me right away. Maybe she wants to get back together? If she does I’ll have to tell her about Judy…. Or maybe I won’t. Two women on the go at the same time! I reckon I could pull that off. Well here goes Sam, the moment of truth.
 
There she is, still the same girl I slept with those many months ago. The same looks, the same flowing beauty. Though that expressionless face, that’s different, it gives me the shivers. Something must be wrong. I can sense some kind of tension in her actions, just like there is in mine. A kind edginess to our actions, as if we are both wishing this encounter will end soon. She’s pregnant, did I just hear her correctly, all I can do is laugh, she was always good at the occasional joke. No! Wait! I did hear correctly. She wants me to help her with the baby too. I can feel the heat on my face. How do I respond, “Yes! I’ll do anything.” Did I really mean that, I hope I’ve done the right thing. Do I tell her about Judy. I see her smiling there and my conscious clears briefly.  
 
What the hell am I going to tell Judy? “Hi honey guess what? Today I found out I had a nine month old son, wanna keep him?” No, but she has to know. I couldn’t keep something this huge from her. The there’s Sue, I know I told her I would help, but can I really do this? Am I ready to be a father? Yes, I can take on the responsibility of having a kid but I am going to need help. That’s my concern; if I tell Judy will I still have that help. “Jesus Christ, keep your eyes on the road, you prick.” Every Saturday these crappy drivers just seem to home in on me, just to give me grief.
 
I’ve had a son for a month now and in a couple of days his mum’s will meet for the same time. I was shocked at Judy’s reaction when I told her, but then again she had never told me she was unable to ever have kids. She sits there playing with him as if he was her own. I hope Sue can find her own ‘Judy’, it must be hard for her, especially when Tom is here, she must feel lonely. Looking back on that day, the one day that has changed my life forever. Given me a new perspective on life. Looking back with hindsight, I wouldn’t change anything. I never realised that one phone call from a one night stand and the sight of a little baby that I created could turn out to be the best thing that has ever happened to me.        

Stu vs Character Profiles 3

Well here it is finally after over a month, my final character biography for Assignment 1 of my Writers Bureau course. This little guy is the main character for my 5-7 age range.


Biography - Cosmo (Captain Cosmo Adventures)


Name: Cosmo 

Nick-Name: Captain Cosmo (his alter ego)

Age: 6

Sex: Male

Nationality: Tarakian

Appearance:  Short, piggish nose, has a bionicle eye, always has grazed knees and little cuts and bruises over his face and arms

Hair Colour: Short blonde hair (kept shaven),

Eyes: Green

Voice: Loud, excited, commanding

Features: Bionicle eye, carries around a F12 blaster replica,  

Favourite Colour: Gunmetal grey

Favourite Food: Plotho Balls

Least Favourite Food: Tarakian Sprouts

Best Character Trait: Friendly, fearless

Character Flaw: Forgetful

Personality: Pretends he is Captain Cosmo Space Adventurer, outgoing, fearless
 
Likes: Aliens, exploring the ship, his robot toy - Bal-4

Dislikes: Curfus

Habits: Day dreaming, getting lost, getting into trouble

Pets: None

Best Friend: A sentient robot toy Bal-4

Worst Enemy: The Scurge - bad aliens

Secret Desire: To become Captain Cosmo: Space Adventurer

Stu vs Lost Work 1

I've been going through some of the material I wrote for my Creative Writing degree back in 2002-2005. Here is a poem I wrote using tag lines from the movies of 2002.

Can you guess which films they were?


A Collage Poem – A Poem from the Movies

A secret experiment. A deadly virus. A fatal mistake.
The days are numbered.
Fathers, brothers, husbands and sons.
Be afraid, be kind of afraid.

What do you see?
Same planet. New Scum.
Pray for Michael Sullivan.
He was the perfect weapon until he became the target.

You won’t believe your eye.
On July 26th the secret will be exposed.
Are you in or are you out?
Fight fire with fire.

Dobby has come to warn you Sir.
With great power comes great responsibility.
A jedi shall know not anger. Nor hatred. Nor love.
He had everything until he met the new girl.
Obsession, betrayal, revenge. Some girls do it for fun.

Please leave comments and let me know what you think. As I delve into my past work I'll try to post more her on my blog.